HiWe have a Rodman 1250 with IPS 500. Comparing our actual fuel consumption with that published in MBM of September 2005 for the same boat on shafts, reveals some interesting contrasts.
The boat tested in MBM was a new, bare boat with 50% water and fuel and not a lot of other kit I would guess, whereas our boat was full of cruising equipment, genie, life rafts and 100% fuel and water all of which must make our real life boat ~1 to 1.5 tonnes greater displacement.
The MBM test boat on 'shafts' in its test condition of 'empty(ish)' gave the following:-
12.2kn - 1.63mpg; 15.5kn - 1.41mpg; 19.3kn - 1.25mpg; 23.1kn - 1.16mpg; 29kn - 0.87mpg; 31.9 kn - 0.81mpg.
Our IPS boat with full tanks and a boat/shedload of kit gives the following:-
7kn - 3.21mpg; 12.1kn - 1.18mpg; 14.5kn - 1.24mpg; 23.6kn - 1.26mpg; 29kn - 1.25mpg; 33kn - 1.26mpg.
So it would appear that at some value below around 12 to about say 16 knots, the unloaded 'shafts' boat provided better fuel consumption but at higher speeds the IPS was better.
As to service costs, comparisons are difficult but the only IPS service additions seem to be the synthetic gear oil for the legs, which costs around £400 for both pods/legs and the exhaust anodes which cost £100 for the pair. Without a comparison for the cost of gearbox oil for the shafts propulsion system, comparisons are difficult, perhaps Volvopaul would be the best to ask.
Full service for both IPS 500 through Philip Robinson Marine, my local and really excellent Penta service man in Belfast, is about £ 1650 plus VAT inclusive of parts and labour.
The great joy of the IPS system is that SWMBO is completely happy to drive and dock the boat which allows me to handle the lines and buoys etc. Also all the 'smelly' diesel and engine stuff is 'outside' below the cockpit sole, which again is a benefit for those, like my wife' who hates and loathes the smell of diesel and diesel engines.
IPS is just as happy to be driven and steered 'on the engines' but provides a similar benefit as do stern drives allowing vectored thrust.
It seems to me that the engineering and quality of the IPS units, the 'pod drives' themselves, is very well executed. The only serious service/warranty issues have been associated with the D6 engines themselves, where there seems to have been a tendency to let the bean counters determine engineering solutions at the expense of reliability and common sense.
However Volvo have been extremely quick and efficient in resolving the problems for which I am grateful to Volvo and the excellent Philip Robinson Marine (and no, I have no interest whatsoever with his company, other than being a happy customer).
I like the IPS system, it's quiet, not 'inside' the boat, thereby allowing a great hold/lazarette below the saloon sole; it's also really good at getting into places that seem impossible and make docking in strange and difficult places a breeze.
Absolutely vital that all that VP servicing demanded to keep these things going has been carried out to the letter and on time by all/any previous owners.Hi
just about to get my rodman 1250 2006 with ips 500
they were rebuilt by lee parham in 2016 to do the clutch upgrades and have been trouble free ever since with yearly servicing(seems to be the answer to reliability)
just wondered if you have been happy with them on Grampus
cheers Terry
No idea what other issues the boat may have had with the IPS, but if one £18k bill and the boat is 18 years old,that doesn't seem too bad an average. If on UK South coast, that is dwarfed by 18 years of berthing fees!!Absolutely vital that all that VP servicing demanded to keep these things going has been carried out to the letter and on time by all/any previous owners.
Especially anything required to keep that amazingly expensive oil in and the surrounding water out.
An early 2007 Rodman 41 (5-600 ) hours recently had around £18K + spent on it when one of the IPS developed grooves in the prop shaft
VP recommend replacing the IPS shaft seals every 500-600 hours along with the synthetic oil.No idea what other issues the boat may have had with the IPS, but if one £18k bill and the boat is 18 years old,that doesn't seem too bad an average. If on UK South coast, that is dwarfed by 18 years of berthing fees!!
Of course, nice not to have that bill, a new D series will be what, £50 to £75k ? And they definitely go wrong too.
Thanks for the replyHi
just about to get my rodman 1250 2006 with ips 500
they were rebuilt by lee parham in 2016 to do the clutch upgrades and have been trouble free ever since with yearly servicing(seems to be the answer to reliability)
just wondered if you have been happy with them on Grampus
cheers Terry
Hi GRAMPSWe have a Rodman 1250 with IPS 500. Comparing our actual fuel consumption with that published in MBM of September 2005 for the same boat on shafts, reveals some interesting contrasts.
The boat tested in MBM was a new, bare boat with 50% water and fuel and not a lot of other kit I would guess, whereas our boat was full of cruising equipment, genie, life rafts and 100% fuel and water all of which must make our real life boat ~1 to 1.5 tonnes greater displacement.
The MBM test boat on 'shafts' in its test condition of 'empty(ish)' gave the following:-
12.2kn - 1.63mpg; 15.5kn - 1.41mpg; 19.3kn - 1.25mpg; 23.1kn - 1.16mpg; 29kn - 0.87mpg; 31.9 kn - 0.81mpg.
Our IPS boat with full tanks and a boat/shedload of kit gives the following:-
7kn - 3.21mpg; 12.1kn - 1.18mpg; 14.5kn - 1.24mpg; 23.6kn - 1.26mpg; 29kn - 1.25mpg; 33kn - 1.26mpg.
So it would appear that at some value below around 12 to about say 16 knots, the unloaded 'shafts' boat provided better fuel consumption but at higher speeds the IPS was better.
As to service costs, comparisons are difficult but the only IPS service additions seem to be the synthetic gear oil for the legs, which costs around £400 for both pods/legs and the exhaust anodes which cost £100 for the pair. Without a comparison for the cost of gearbox oil for the shafts propulsion system, comparisons are difficult, perhaps Volvopaul would be the best to ask.
Full service for both IPS 500 through Philip Robinson Marine, my local and really excellent Penta service man in Belfast, is about £ 1650 plus VAT inclusive of parts and labour.
The great joy of the IPS system is that SWMBO is completely happy to drive and dock the boat which allows me to handle the lines and buoys etc. Also all the 'smelly' diesel and engine stuff is 'outside' below the cockpit sole, which again is a benefit for those, like my wife' who hates and loathes the smell of diesel and diesel engines.
IPS is just as happy to be driven and steered 'on the engines' but provides a similar benefit as do stern drives allowing vectored thrust.
It seems to me that the engineering and quality of the IPS units, the 'pod drives' themselves, is very well executed. The only serious service/warranty issues have been associated with the D6 engines themselves, where there seems to have been a tendency to let the bean counters determine engineering solutions at the expense of reliability and common sense.
However Volvo have been extremely quick and efficient in resolving the problems for which I am grateful to Volvo and the excellent Philip Robinson Marine (and no, I have no interest whatsoever with his company, other than being a happy customer).
I like the IPS system, it's quiet, not 'inside' the boat, thereby allowing a great hold/lazarette below the saloon sole; it's also really good at getting into places that seem impossible and make docking in strange and difficult places a breeze.
Rodman 41. Lightly loaded 3 thin people on board with a sandwich or two.Hi GRAMPS
i like your post as it shows your boat fully loaded and the shaft boat light
(this is interesting) you are comparing two boats and the shaft boat is as light as can be
i have a video that Ben at RBS Marine sent me of a brand new 1250 IPS which he was delivering to Guernsey
1/2 tank of fuel and not much else perhaps some food and a couple of life jackets
2750 rpm 57 ltrs per hour so thats a new ips boat as light as can be if you see where im coming from